Mining machine



IVI. P. HOLMES.

MINING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.24, IgIe.

Patented Sept. l2, 1922.

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M. P. HOLMES.

y MINING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV.24, 1916.

l' Patented. Sept. I2, 1922.

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Patented Sept. 12, 1922.

't D E S 1,428,634 PATENT-OFFICE.

MORRIS PL HOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS,l TO THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A

CORPORATION OF OHIO.

Application led November 24, 1916.

T o all lwhom t may concern:

Be it known that I, MORRIS P. HOLMES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan, and

State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mining Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.`

My invention relates .to mining machines. It has for its object to cool the cutting mechanism of such a machine in an improved manner whereby all question as todanger of igniting the gas in the mine, arising from the high temperature of the cutter bits, is eliminated. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved cutter l bar for such machines wherein a cooling agent is supplied longitudinally of the bar in an improved manner and so distributed i to the cutter chain and cutter bits as to maintain the same relatively cool and thus effectually prevent such ignition of the mine gases as is said to occur as a result of the bits becoming red hot during the cutting Another object is to provide a ymechanism whereby the delivery of masses of dust in the air, from the kerfs to the rooms or entries of the mine will be prevented. These and other advantages lof my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully a pear.

In t e accompanying drawings, I have, for purposes of illustration, shown a plurality of embodiments which my invention may 35 assume in practice, illustrating `the same in connection with a shortwall. machine ofthe y continuous cutter type, although it will be understood that my invention is not limited to use on that type of machine` the same being shown herein onlyy for purposes of il- `lustration.

In thesedrawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine equipped l Awith my improvement, certain parts of the cutter bar being broken awa-y to facilitateI illustration. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the cutter har and machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional r"view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. A

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on line -1-4 of Figs. 1 or 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on v line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

MINING MACHINE.

Serial No.'133,144.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view. on 55 l1ne6-6 of Fig 1.

F1g. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing a modified construction.

F 1g, 8 is a similar view showing a still further modified construction.

Fig. 9 1s a view similar to Fig. 5, showing another modified construction.

F ig. 10 is a perspective view, partiallv in section, showing another modification. L

Big. 11 1s a transverse sectional view, 65 show lng a modified form of the invention applied to a bar of the type shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the parts at the inner end of the cutter bar.

In the illustrative construction, Figs. 1 to 70 6, I. have shown a machine 1 of the type having a slidable rigid cutter bar 2 project- 1ng from the front end thereof and adapted to be projected in under the coal during the sumping cut, and thereafter moved transn versely of the coal face to undercut the coal, the machine being propelled by suitable feeding mechanism of a Well known character. Around the outer end of this cutter bar 2 is movable on suitable sprockets, a cutter chain 3 provided with a plurality of upper and lower cutter bits 4 adapted. as usual, to extend above and below the lines of the cutter bar 2.

This cutter bar 2 may be integral or made. 85 up as desired and is provided with a longitudinally disposed chamber 5 preferably within the confines thereof. As shown, this chamber is preferably formed between the top and bottom of the bar, as. for instance, between the plates 6 and between the sides thereof, as, for instance, between the side members 7 chain guides, as, for instance, the members 8, being disposed in inverted relation at the sides of the members 6, and the several elements, where the bar is of plural part construction, being rigidly connected together by any suitable means in a well known manner. As shown` this chamber 5 extends longitudinally of the bar 2 from a 100 A deliver the same in a manner hereinafter described, to the cutter brits 4.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, a cooling agent, as for instance air or water, and preferably water, is supplied to the machine by means of a pipe con.- nection 9 communicating with a suitable passage 10 formed in the head 11 of the machine. This passage, in turn, extends transversely to a point preferably above the center v and withinthe latter and adapted to be used whenever it is desired to adjust the bar longitudinally relative to the machine, as for ini Stance when taking up slack in the cutter chain. The devices for pivoting the part 14 comprise the apertured arms 14h.` at the end of the part 14, the apertured eye 14c and the hinge or pivot pin 14d, see Figs. 2 and 12. As shown, this nut 14 is provided with a longitudinally extending opening 15 therein having threaded walls 16 adapted to receive the threaded endn 17 0f a bar adjusting screw movable with the bar relatively to the thread 15 and the nut 14 adjustable from the exterior of the bar by means of an enlargement or cylindrical boss 18, all in a well known manner.V This screw is herein provided with a longitudinally disposed passage 19 communicating with the chamber 5. In a preferred construction, the front end of this adjusting screw also extends through a split block 14n riveted to the bar, spaced with respect to the nut 14 and herein shown suit.- ably packed at 20, the adjusting screw also being provided with a flange 21 surrounding the bore in the block. It will be seen that the part 14 remains stationary relatively to the main frame of the machine and that the rotary element, having the threaded end part 17 and the operating enlargement 18, will move forward when rotated, vand push the cutter bar forward correspondingly; there being a passage for fluid through these elements. Any suitable cooling fluid, and preferably water, which is supplied to the pipe 9, is thus conveyed through the adjusting screw 17 into the chamber 5, so that when -the end of that chamber is plugged, as for instance by fixing a wooden plug 22 suitably packed at 23', near the front end thereof, a considerable pressure may be developed in this chamber.

From this chamber the fluid is in turn distributed to the cutter bits in'such a manner as to cool them eHectually, the fluid being played directly or indirectly thereon. In a preferred form of my invention (Fig. 5), a plurality of longitudinally spaced, oppositely disposed, lateral outlets 24 leading from the chamber 5, are provided in the upper part of the bai` and preferably slightly removed from its front end. As shown,

these outlets are directed at such an angle relative tothe bar that the fluid under pressure in the chamber 5 will be brought into contact with the upper bits, as for instance by being deflected by the upper wall 0f the cut over the outer edge of the chain guides 8 and onto the upper bits 4. Obviously, these outlets may, however, be arranged in any desired manner and in any desired place on the bar or on either side of the latter without departing from the spirit of my invention, and any desired number of the same may be used in the cutter bar or any of the members forming the cutter bar, so long as the fluid is distributed to the upper cutter bits. To coo crate with these outlets 24, I also preferab y provide in the side member 7 0f the bar, suitable horizontally disposed outlets 25 adapted to direct the fluid under pressure in the chamber 5 against the chain 8 as it moves along between the guides 8 and between the links in the chain, in such a manner as to supplement the action of the outlets 24. Thus, it will be noted that not only will the upper bits be subjected to the cooling agent, but that the chain itself will be played upon by the cooling agent, and that a part of the latter will find its way through the chain to the bits, while all of the same will tend to drop to the bottom so that the lower bits 4 will run therein and thereby be effectually cooled.

In the form of my invention as shown in Fig. 7, it will be noted that instead 0f having the fluid delivered through a central 1400 chamber 5 in the bar, the same is there delivered through one or more chambers 26 formed in one or both of the side members 7, and that these chambers communica-te with outlets 27 formed in one or both of the 105 guard members 8. In this construction, it will be noted that the fluid will also be delivered to the upper bits, but that the point of delivery of the outlets is located closer to the bits than is the case in the construc- 11o tion shown in Figs. 1 to 6. It will, of course, be obvious that this form of constructionmay be readily adapted 'to use in connection with bars other than those having a central chamber therein, as for instance those bars 115 where the members 7 are spaced apart. Ob-

.viously, in sucha construction, the fluid may be conducted to the chambers 26 in any suitable manner.

In the forms of my invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9, it will be noted that I have illustrated in Fig. 8 a bar of substantially the same construction as that shown in 5, but that in this instance the fluid is delivered from the chamber 5 into a plurality' of 125 passages 28 extending through the top plates 6 and communicating with suitable horizontally disposed passages 29 formed in the guide members 8. bviously, by the use of such a construction, the fluid will be delivla@ ered directly onto the upper bits without the Hnecessity for being deflected onto the same by the top of the cut. It is also obvious that in such a construction, I may, if desired, provide the lower plates with similar passages 28 and 29, as shown. In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 9, it will be noted that I have shown a construction closely similar to that illustrated in Fig. 8, and likewise comprising passages 28 and 29, but that in this instance the bottom, side, and guide members are formed integral, the top plate 6 being the only separate, plate.

In the construction shown in Fig. 10, attention is also directed to the fact that I have there shown in perspective, in partial section, one-half of another type of cutter bar of a well known construction. In this bar, it will be noted that a member 30 of I-beam section is disposed on its side on a bottom plate 31 and covered by a top plate 32, these plates 31 and 32 also acting as chain gu-ides and being provided with guide surfaces 33 for that purpose. In such a construction, the fluid may, obviously, be supplied to one or both of the vertically central l chambers 34 and 35 formed by the yweb of the member 30, and the fluid may pass out from these chambers to the cutter chain and bits through suitable outlets 36 in the walls adjacent the chain. Obviously, in this' construction, if desired, inclined outlets similar to the outlets 27 or outlets similar to the outlets 28 and 29 above described, may also be used, if desired, either alone or in cooperation with outlets of the type shown at 36, the several outlets being shown in Fig. 11. Obviously, the cross section of any of the outlets mentioned in any form of my improvement described herein may be varied within Wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the use of my improved construction, it will be noted that when the cooling agent is delivered to the chamber 5 or the other chambers disposed longitudinally of the bar, the same will be ejected therefrom through a plurality of outlets disposed longitudinally of the bar and transversely with res ect thereto, which act to deliver the'coo ing agent directly or indirectly to the chain, the upper cutter bits, the lower cutter-bits, or to all of those elements, both before and after the chain has rounded the end of the bar, and in such a manner as to maintain the bits at the desired minimum temperature. Thus, I eli'ectually prevent any ignition of gas pockets or the like which may exist in the coal, and which it is stated that the heated bits cause to be ex loded. Attention is also directed to the act that in the use of my improved construction, it is possible to utilize an ad'usting screw of standard construction, an bars of standard construction, by only minor changes in the is also effectually prevented at the same'time l that the connections thereto are amply protected againstinjury by the head of the machine, either as the machine moves into the coal during the sumping cut or transversely with respect thereto during the cut 'across the face. It will, of course, also be obvious that whenever it is unnecessary to use the cooling agent for the cutter bits, as for instance in mines relatively free from gas,l the same machine may be used without any inconvenience whatsoever, it only being necessary to disconnect the'source of supply and then unscrew the pipe connection 9 and preferably insert a suitable plug in place of t-lie same. Not only are the cutters and adjacent apparatus kept cooled and below that point in temperature where there would be` danger of their igniting gas but, supple inenting that, the jets of water can be so delivered that they and the spr-ay resulting from them will operate to lay the dust which the cutters tend to form and to throw ion and dust are favorable, rapid combustions I of the dust can be started, and explosions are caused. In the present mechanism the spraying devices are so disposed and ar- -ranged relatively to the other parts that liquid spray is being delivered at all times on lines vtransverse to the cutter bar and parallel to the coal face, over the entire area which is covered by the bar and the cutters. Consequently there is a supply of spray at all points where gas pockets will be struck and at points where dust will be generated, either at the time of cutting the coal from its bed, or by subsequently agitat'ing it and stirring it up in the form of slack after it has been dislodged. Y

In some machines of this general class all of the cutting is done while the active ycutters are traveling along a line parallel to the coal face and at the inner end of the cutter carrying arm or frame. With machines of this subclass this cutting line is constantlyV advancing inward further and further from the face.

'The chain links with their cutters travel backward from one end of the cutting line for several (often six to eight) feet to the driving mechanism without contacting,

along the side of the machine, with the coal in its native position, but nevertheless engaging with the loose slack in the kert; and then they travel forward again to the other end of the cutting line, without contacting with the solid coal, but engaging with the slack on the bottom of the kerf. And as they travel thus backward and forward through the outer part of the kerf they engage with, stir up and agitate the fine cuttings behind the line of cut, and create volumes of dust in the outer part of the kerf, and in that region of the outside room which is adjacent to the mouth of the kerf.

The machine herein illustrated typifies another subclass' within the general class. In those of the latter sort the cutters are so arranged that the greater part of their work is done while the chain is advancing laterally, the machine at such time moving bodily along, and parallel to, the outer vertical face of the coal. Here the line of cut is at right angles to the coal face and the cutters as they leave the outer end of their cut, are immediate] drawn out into the room, carrying with them large quantities of comminuted and dusty slack. And those cutters which are returning along the other side of the cutter carrier to their work tend to engage with, agitate and stir up such fine cuttings as remain within the kerf.

In order to keep all of the cutters cool as above described, and also eHectually prevent the` forming of dust clouds, both at the points where the cutters are tearing oil small particles of coal and at the points where the idle cutters are engaging the looscned slack, and to settle the dust in the region where the cutter bar is positioned, the liquid spray should be formed and distributed constantly through that entire region, that is, delivered at points in all of the vertical lines between the face of the coal and the inner end of the cut.

It has been proposed to deliver liquid jets at points along the inward advancing line of cut parallel to the coal face, formed in the way characteristic of machines of the first aforesaidclass. My object is to supply jets and spray continuously during the cutting operation throu h the entirety of that part of the kerf in wich is positioned the cutter carrier and the cutters, for effectually settling the dust and keeping the mechanism cool; and to provide devices for accomplishing these'purposes in machines of either of the subclasses referred to.

With a machine of the sort here illustrated, when the cutter bar is advancing longitudinally into the coal (that is, While sumping) the jets and the spray cloud are effective at the mouth of the kerf as well asiat the inner end of thecut. Then while the cutting mechanism is normally operating and is being advanced bodily on lines parallel to the coal face, there are jets projected laterally on practically all lines transverse to the cutter bar and along its length, this not only catching the dust which is on the front side, but also that on the rear side, which may be formed bythe idle cutters picking up or agitating the slack, These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have, in this application, specifically described several embodiments which my invention may assume in practice, it is to be understood that the forms thereof shown herein are used only. for purposes of illustration, and that the invention is adapted to use on machines of various other types and to be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit, it being my intention to include all such uses of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

What V-I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a mining machine, a cutter bar having a'longitudinally disposed enclosed vertically central, fluid conducting chamber therein and a series of laterally extending communicating outlets and a cut-ter chain movable around said bar.

2. In a mining machine, a cutteribar hav-V ing a'longitudinally disposed enclosed vertically central, luid conductin chamber therein and a series of lateralf disposed communicating outlets intermediate its ends and a cutter chain movable around said bar.

3. In a mining machine, a cutter bar having a longitudinally disposed enclosed vertically central, luid conducting chamber therein anda series of upwardly and laterally Adisposed communicating outlets intermedlate its ends and a cutter chain movable around said bar. l

4. A fiat mining machine cutter bar presenting cutter chain guiding surfaces on its edges and having a longitudinal fluid conducting chamber within its vertical limits and between said guiding surfaces and laterally extending outlets communicating with said chamber.

5. In combination, a fiat mining machine cutter bar of a cross section presenting cutter chain guiding surfaces and a longitudinally extending passage .within the vertical limits of said bar and between certain of said surfaces, and means for converting said passage `into a fluid distributing chamber including outletsv discharging toward the bar periphery.

6. In a mining machine, a cutter bar, a cutter chain movable around the same and having upper and lower bits thereon, and means disposed within said bar for delivering fluid in a plurality of series of jets distributed along said bar to deliver fluid to said upper b-its both while they are movin outward and while they are moving inwar 7. In a mining machine, a cutter bar comprising spaced side members and top and bottom members disposed over and beneath the same to form a conduit, means for delivering fluid between said sidemembers and laterally therethrough and a cutter-carrying chain traveling in the horizontal planes of the conduit around said bar.

8. In a mining machine, a cutter bar comprising spaced side members and top and bottom members disposed over and beneath the same to form a conduit, means for de livering fluid between said side members and laterally through said top member, and a cutter carrying chain traveling in the horizontal planes of the conduit around said bar,

9. In a mining machine, a cutter bar, and a cutter chain carrying bits and movable on said bar, said bar having a central longitudinally disposed enclosed chamber therein and positioned in the horizontal planes of said chain and oppositely extending comnunicating outlets delivering fluid tosaid its.

10. In a mining machine, a cutter bar, and a cutter chain carrying bits and movable on said bar, said bar having a longitudinally disposed chamber which is central,

vertically, in relation to the topand bottom lanes of the bar and separate communicating outlets delivering fluid directly to said bits and directly to said cutter chain.

11. In a mining machine, a cutter bar comprising spaced side members and top and bottom members and cooperating chain guiding members, a chain movable in said guiding members and having upwardly eX? tending bits, and passages for delivering fluid through vthe opposite sides of said bar to said bits.

12. In a mining machine, a cutter bar, and a cutter chain carrying upper andA lower bits and movable on said bar, said bar having a longitudinally disposed chamber which is positioned centrally, vertically, in relation to the top and bottom planes of the bar and having upwardly and laterally eX- tending outlets for directing fluid agains said upper bits.

13. In a mining machine, a cutter bar,"

and a cutter chain carrying bits and movable on said bar, said bar having a longitudinally disposed chamber formed therein and positioned centrally, vertically, in relation to the top and bottom planes of the bar and having outlets for continuously directing fluid against the entire upper wall of the cut and adjacent said bits.

14. In a mininmachine, a cutter bar, a cutter chain carried on said bar movable nally thereof, and means for delivering fluid therefrom laterally to said chain both before and after the latter rounds the end of said' b'ar yand along the sides of the bar to the points where theyenter the material being cut.

16. In a mining machine, a cutter bar having a longitudinally extending duct positioned centrally, vertically, relatively to the top and bottom planes of said bar, a cutter chain traveling around said bar in the horizontal planes of the said duct, means closing one end of said duct, means for delivering fluid into said duct, and laterally disposed means spaced apart longitudinally of said duct on transverse lines intermediate of the ends thereof for delivering fluid laterally therefrom in a series of jets extending to the face of the material being cut.

V17. In a mining machine, a cutter bar having longitudinally disposed fluid conducting means formed therein, cutter chain guiding members on said cutter bar, a cut ter-carrying chain traveling around said bar in the planes ofthe said fluid conducting means, and means for delivering fluid laterally from said conducting means through the outer edges of said chain guiding memsupplying fluid through said adjusting means to said delivering ducts.

19. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar thereon, a cutter chain on said bar, ducts for delivering flu-id to the bits of said chain, means for adjusting said bar relative to said frame and adapted to ermit the passage of fluid therethrough, and means for supplying fluid through said adjusting means to said delivering ducts.

20. In a mining machine, a n machine frame, a cutter bar thereon, a cutter chain on said bar, ducts for delivering fluid to the bits of said chain, means for adjusting said bar relative to said frame and adapted to permit the passage of fluid therethrough,

and means including fluid passages in said Aframe communicating with the passageway through said adjusting means for supplying iuid through said adjusting means to said delivering ducts.

2l. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar having a longitudinally extending chamber therein, a screw for adjusting the cutter bar relatively to the frame and having a passage extending .therethrough communicating with `said chamber, a threaded nut into which said screw is threaded having a passage therein communicating with the passage in said screw whereby fluid delivered to the passage in the said nut can pass through the said screw and the said chamber.

22. In a'mining machine, a cutter bar having a chamber therein closed at one end and having a series of lateral outlets, an adjusting screw having a'passage extending therethrough and communicating with said chamber, and a screw receiving nut disposed in the opposite end of said chamber having a passage therein communicating with the passa e in said screw.

23. n a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter bar having .a longitudinally disposed chamber therein having a plurality of lateral outlets, a cutter chain on said bar, an adjusting screw having a passage communicating with said chamber, and a nut carried on said frame and receiving said screw having a passage therein communieating with the passage in said screw.

24. In a` mining machine, a cutter bar having a longitudinally extending chamber therein and a series of oppositely disposed longitudinally spaced laterally extending outlets, a cutterjcarrying chain movable on said bar, an adjusting Screw having a passage extendingtherethrough and communieating with said chamber, a threaded nut into which said screw is threaded having a passage therein communicating with the passage in said screw, a machine frame, and means for delivering iuid through said frame into said passages.

25. In a mining machine, a cutter bar having a vlongitudinally extending chamber therein closed at one end and having a series of oppositely disposed longitudinally spaced laterally extending outlets, a cutter carrying chain movable on said bar, an adjusting screw having a passage extending therethrough and communicating with said chamber, a threaded nut* disposed inthe opposite end of said chamber and into which said screw is threaded having a passage therein communicating with the passage in said screw, a machine frame, and means for delivering Huid through said frame into saidpassages.' 1 y In testimony whereof I aix my signature Mouais r, HOLMES. 

